The Complete Guide to RESTful API Design
Principles, patterns, and practical examples for building APIs that developers love to use.
A well-designed API is the backbone of any successful platform. It's the interface through which developers interact with your product, and its quality directly impacts adoption and developer satisfaction.
Consistency Is King
Use consistent naming conventions, error formats, and pagination patterns across all endpoints. Developers should be able to predict how a new endpoint works based on their experience with existing ones.
Version Your API
Always version your API from day one. URL-based versioning (/v1/, /v2/) is the most straightforward approach. Never make breaking changes to an existing version — instead, introduce a new version and provide a migration guide.
Provide Excellent Documentation
Auto-generate API documentation from your code using OpenAPI/Swagger. Include real-world examples, not just schema definitions. Every endpoint should have at least one complete request/response example.